Herbs for the Treatment of Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding Shepherd’s Purse

No. 80 January 2011
Herbs for the Treatment of Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding
Shepherd’s Purse
Capsella bursa-pastoris herb is antihaemorrhagic and
astringent, and is traditionally used to treat chronic
menorrhagia and uterine haemorrhage.1,2 European
herbalists regarded Shepherd's Purse as useful for heavy
bleeding associated with fibroids.3,4
In the late 19th century, and during World War I in Europe,
Shepherd's Purse was commonly used as a substitute for
ergot in uterine bleeding.5-7 (Ergot is the product of a
fungus (Claviceps purpurea) that grows on grain, especially
rye. By the end of the 19th century, ergot was a standard
drug used to induce contractions during labour. It was also
used to treat postpartum haemorrhage.8)
Ethanol extracts of Shepherd's Purse were also found to
have a haemostatic action in a clinical setting in Japan.9,10
Dong Quai
Angelica polymorpha (A. sinensis) root is well known in
traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) as the premier herb in
gynaecology.11-13 It tonifies and invigorates the blood,
regulates menstruation, alleviates pain and relaxes the
bowels.11,14 In this tradition, it is used to treat menstrual
disorders including irregular menstruation, amenorrhoea
and dysmenorrhoea; anaemia, abdominal pain,
constipation, traumatic injury and boils.11 Use of Dong Quai
for conditions of blood stasis,11 suggest it could be
beneficial for endometriosis.
In addition to many of these applications, Dong Quai is
used traditionally in Vietnam for debility, fatigue, colic and
headache.15
In the late 1800s Dong Quai was introduced into western
medicine.16
A survey of practitioners, mainly of the western herbal
tradition, was conducted by the American Herbalists Guild
in 2002. An overwhelming majority of respondents used
Dong Quai for indications consistent with TCM and focusing
on gynaecological imbalances including endometriosis,
fibroids, infertility, dysmenorrhoea, ovarian cysts,
menopause and premenstrual tension.17
Not for Public Distribution. For Education of Health Care Professionals Only.
In a clinical study, Dong Quai fluid extract was used for the
treatment of dysmenorrhoea in nulliparous women, and
for severe bleeding in multiparous women. Administration
of fluid extract for 1 week before menstruation was
effective in decreasing menstrual pain and chronic
endometritis (inflammation of the endometrium).18 The
beneficial effect of Dong Quai in relieving dysmenorrhoea
may be associated with its uterine antispasmodic activity.17
False Unicorn Root
Chamaelirium luteum (known previously as
Helonias luteum, H. lutea) is native to North America.
Indigenous Americans used the root and rhizome to stop
miscarriage and relieve cough.19 It became official in the
National Formulary (of the United States) in 1916.20
False Unicorn Root was found by the Eclectic physicians to
be useful to improve the tone of the reproductive organs,
especially when associated with colic and lumbar pain.2,19
It has also been used traditionally for dysmenorrhoea,
amenorrhoea, leucorrhoea, prolapse with disordered
menstruation and to improve libido.1,2,21 False Unicorn Root
is regarded primarily as a uterine tonic,1,2 although also
with action on the ovaries,22 and hence is used in pelvic
inflammation and to improve fertility.22,23
Contemporary herbalists also recommend False Unicorn
Root for hormonal problems of menopause.23
White Peony
The white-coloured and peeled root of Paeonia lactiflora
(White Peony) is used in traditional Chinese medicine
(TCM) for the treatment of irregular menstruation,
menorrhagia, uterine haemorrhage, amenorrhoea,
dysmenorrhoea, vaginal discharge and night sweats. It
relieves pain and spasm of the abdomen and limbs.11,14,24-26
Like Dong Quai, it is a herb that nourishes the blood (blood
tonic),11,25 and is used for anaemia, particularly associated
with menstrual disturbances.14,24
In experimental studies, oral administration of Paeonia
lactiflora root decoction demonstrated antispasmodic
activity in the ileum and uterus.27 Relief of uterine spasm
1
would be beneficial in treatment of endometriosis and
dysmenorrhoea.
Synergistic Formulation
These herbs would complement each other in a very
potent formulation with the following actions:
• antihaemorrhagic, astringent,
• uterine and ovarian tonic,
• menstruation regulating,
• blood building (blood tonic),
• antispasmodic.
Indications
•
•
•
Menorrhagia, dysfunctional uterine bleeding (including
that caused by the presence of fibroids), breakthrough
bleeding at ovulation.
Relief of the symptoms of uterine prolapse and/or
poor pelvic tone (including incontinence).
Dysmenorrhoea, endometriosis.
Are Used in Medicine. First published 1892, reprinted Dover Publications,
New York, 1974. 20 Vogel VJ. American Indian Medicine. University of
Oklahoma Press, Norman, 1970. 21 Ellingwood F, Lloyd JU. American
Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy, 11th Edn. Eclectic
Medical Publications, Portland, 1983. 22 Lyle TJ. Physio-Medical
Therapeutics, Materia Medica and Pharmacy, 1897, reprinted National
Association of Medical Herbalists of Great Britain, London, 1932. 23 Mills
SY. The Essential Book of Herbal Medicine. Penguin Arkana (Penguin),
London, 1991. 24 World Health Organization. Medicinal Plants in China.
WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific, Manilla, 1989. 25 Zheng G,
Zhang C. Concise Chinese Materia Medica. The Series of Traditional
Chinese Medicine for Foreign Readers. Shandong Science and Technology
Press, Jinan, 1997. 26 Kong YC et al. J Ethnopharmacol 1986; 15: 1 27
Wagner H and Farnsworth NR (eds). Economic and Medicinal Plant
Research, Vol 1. Academic Press, London, 1985.
Author: Michelle Morgan
© Copyright 2011 MediHerb.
Cautions and Contraindications
Not to be used during the first trimester of pregnancy.
Shepherd's Purse should be avoided if possible by lactating
women or used with caution. Dong Quai should be used
cautiously in those with diarrhoea and avoided in those
with acute viral infections. Further clinical research is
required, but it is possible that Dong Quai may interact
with warfarin.
REFERENCES
1
British Herbal Medicine Association’s Scientific Committee. British Herbal
Pharmacopoeia. BHMA, Bournemouth, 1983. 2 Felter HW, Lloyd JU. King’s
American Dispensatory. 18th Edn, 3rd revision. First published 1905,
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